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A Record of Human Sacrifice 
Of Daring Deeds and 
Heroic Men. 



Percentage of Losses 

at Gettysburg 
Greatest in History. 



By 

St. Clair A. MulhoUand, 
Brevet Major General, U. S. V. 



SECOND EDITION. 
PUBLISHED BY W. H. TIPTON, 

Gettysburg, Pa. 

1911 



i/t^ 






_,,^<rrjr:-J««5.'.;-J 



GETTYSBURG COMPILER PRINT 



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ST. CLAIR A. MULHOLLAND, BREVET MAJOR GENERAL U. S. V. 



-^ y 



Percentage of Losses at Gettysburg- 
Greatest in History 



By St. Clair A. Mulholland, Brevet Major General U.S.V. 



An Article Written for the Philadelphia Public Ledger, April 2, 1902, and Reprinted 
in the Gettysburg Compiler, July 1, 1903, by Permission of General Mulholland. 



To understand truly and to estimate and wounded during the three sangui- 
properly the fighting qualities of the nary days of the battle, and nine of 
men and the organizations of our these were Pennsylvania organiza- 
armies, one must take the cold figures tions. Eight other Northern States — 
of the percentage of losses in killed New Jersey, New Hampshire, New 
and wounded and compare them with Yorlc, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, 
similar results in other wars and by Minnesota and Massachusetts — were 
troops of other nations. When read- also included in this splendid roll of 
ing the following article, let us not honor. Truly, "there was glory 
fail to remember the record of the enough to go all around." Let us re- 
bravest troops in Europe. The Third call the story of these commands, the 
Westphalian, at Mars La Tour, lost organizations only that lost 50 per 
49.4 per cent, killed and wounded, cent, or more at Gettysburg, and we 
The Garde-Schutzen, at Metz lost 46.1 can speak of them without in any way 
per cent. The Light Brigade, at Bala- detracting from the honor of the other 
klava, lost 36.7 per cent. This is the commands that may not have met 
story of brave men and splendid or- with such terrible losses, yet did their 
ganizations, and, if I mistake not, whole duty and all that was demanded 
tells of the greatest loss on record in of them, 
single engagements in European wars. 

Not one of them lost 50 per cent, in Glorious Gettysburg. 

killed and wounded in single engage- The battle on the first day was re- 

ments. Without fear of contradiction markable, not only for the acts of 

I assert that in the Union army alone great personal courage, but also for 

at least sixty-three regiments lost the most heroic fighting on the part 

more than 50 per cent, killed and of the organizations. The 147th New 

wounded in single engagements, and York was the first regiment to make 

more than 120 regiments lost more the great record at Gettysburg. Going 

than 36 per cent, under like circum- into position on the right of Cutler's 

stances. I am asked to write the par- Brigade, and becoming hotly engaged 

ticulars of these bloody encounters; in the very beginning of the fight, 

to do so would be a greater task than Lieutenant Colonel F. C. Miller, its 

I have time for, and the glowing story commander, fell almost at the 'first 

would fill volumes. On the soil of our fire, shot in the head. Major George 

own State, at glorious Gettysburg, Harney then commanded. The regi- 

there were at least 23 regiments that ment fought the 42nd Mississippi, and 

lost more than 50 per cent, in killed when the position became untenable 



2 PERCENTAGE OF LOSSES AT GETTYSBURG. 

and the brigade was ordered to the the spot where Reynolds fell, and en- 
rear, the command to retreat was not ter the woods where every gnarled 
received by the 147th until the other tree is torn by shot and shell, you 
regiments of the brigade had gone, will see a line of monuments crossing 
The 147th then stood alone, and not your path. Pause when you reach 
only fought the regiment in front, them, stand for a time by the stone 
but was exposed to the fire of the 2nd that marks the center of the 24th 
Mississippi and the 55th North Caro- Michigan Regiment and recall the day 
lina on the right flank. The fight was of the battle. You will then be standing 
close and deadly, but Harney and his near the center of the Iron Brigade, 
men stood up to the work until the On the right of that organization was 
orders reached them to retreat, which the brigade of Roy Stone, and on the 
they did in good order, with colors left that of Colonel Chapman Biddle. 
flying. The loss of officers and men Walk the line of these brigades from 
was appalling, but hardly had the right to left — ah, yes, you may walk 
splendid organization reached the new the line of the whole First Corps — and 
position than it became engaged in you cannot step without treading upon 
resisting the attack of Ewell's Corps ground every inch of which was satu- 
and assisted in capturing a part of rated and made sacred by the blood 
Iverson's Brigade. But the 147th was of heroes, 
not yet ready to rest; on the evening 

of the second day it was rushed to Standing by the Colors. 

Gulp's Hill to reinforce Green's Bri- And how did the 24th Michigan 
gade, and until long after dark fought fight? They charged into the woods 
in the dense woods among rocks and without taking time to load, and with 
fallen timber, locating the enemy by bayonet driving the enemy across Wil- 
the tongues of fire that leaped from loughby Run, captured the Confeder- 
their muskets. This regiment was ate General Archer and many of his 
recruited in Oswego county. New men. Private Patrick Maloney seiz- 
York, and it left the great record on ing the General by the throat, com- 
Gettysburg's field of sixty (60) per manding, "Right about Gineral, 
cent, killed and wounded, more than march!" conducted him to the rear 
20 per cent, being killed outright. and handed him over to the division 

rru rj. ui r^ A ^ t ,u 1 v, ■ a commander, with a ueitic smile, and 
The Terrible Ordeal of the Iron Brigade. "Qineral Wadsworth, sir, allow me to 

As the 147th New York was mak- make ye acquainted wid Gineral 
ing its glorious record, the Iron Bri- Archer." There the well dressed line 
gade swept forward and entered the waited in the forest during the long 
woods just as Reynolds was being car- afternoon, repulsing every attack of 
ried to the rear dead. The West had the enemy. General Sol Meredith, 
in that line its noblest sons, there to the brigade commander, Colonel 
defend and to crimson the soil of our Henry A. Morrow, Lieutenant Colonel 
State with their blood, and what a Flanagan, the adjutant, and almost 
fight they made on that July morn- every officer who was not killed out- 
ing! Of this brigade the 24th Michi- right, was severely wounded, twenty- 
gan lost 60 per cent, killed and wound- two being killed and wounded out of 
ed, and, in addition 83 missing; the twenty-eight. Captains Speed and 
19th Indiana lost 56 per cent, and O'Donnell and Lieutenants Wallace, 
50 missing; the 2nd Wisconsin 59 per Safford, Grace, Humphrey ville, Dickey 
cent, and 51 missing; the 6th Wiscon- and Shattuck were dead upon the 
sin 43 per cent, and 20 missing; the field. Seven color bearers were shot 
7th Wisconsin 41 per cent, and 43 down under the flag, four of them, 
missing. This regiment had 10 ofH- Abel Pack, Charles Ballou, August 
cers and 271 men killed in battle dur- Ernst and Wm. Kelly, lying dead al- 
ing its term of service. Taking the most side by side, while every one of 
five regiments of the Iron Brigade as tiie color guard was dead or wounded, 
a whole, we find the killed and wound- When Corporal Andrew Wagner was 
ed to have oeen 49.5 per cent., with severely wounded and the colors fell, 
249 missing, many of whom were Colonel Morrow ran forward and rais- 
among the dead. ed them. Private Kelly ran up and 

Reader, when you visit the field of seized the staff, saying, "The Colonel 
the first day's fight, and you walk past of the Twenty-fourth shall never carr> 



PERCENTAGE OF LOSSES AT GETTYSBURG, 3 

the flag while I am alive." He was whole valley of Willoughby Run and 
killed instantly. Still another brave the country beyond was in clear view, 
soul raised the flag, only to fall. Again and every man saw for himself what 
Colonel Morrow grasped the Starry was coming — the Confederates., in a 
Banner, and, while waving it aloft, contiuous double line of deployed bat- 
he too fell terribly wounded. No talions woth other battalions en masse 
falling back was thought of until or- in reserve. To meet this tremendous 
dered to retreat, and then the flag was onslaught =;tood one thin line, and not 
dragged by force from the hands of a a man in reserve. It required cour- 
mortally wounded soldier, who with a age of a high order to quietly await 
last expiring effort, tried to raist it the attack, but Stone's men were equal 
from the ground, but fell back only to to the occasion, 
die. Splendid Michigan; your sons 
have done you great honor! John Burns, of Gettysburg. 

The 19th Indiana. Colonel S. J. Wil- .^g colonel Huidekoper and Major 

hams commandmg went into action Chamberlain were chatting, while 

in ime with the 24th Michigan, cross- awaiting the attack, a unique anUque 

ing WiUoughuy Run in the first rush ^nd most picturesque figure approach 

and charge of the day and flanking ed. It was Citizen John Bums of 

.\rchers Confederates doing its full Gettysburg. Tall and bony of frame 

Of the Iron Brigade, meeting and re- 'Z:\r:''^tf.iV' hI "^rl ^blue 

pelling charge after charge of the swallow-tail coat, with brass buttons 

s?Xdly^?L?7or^U^e\;?;X^r Thi f^^, ^^h^ nip W^d ^oSf sin^"' d^^""^ 

li^e Of the enemy had advanced to the ^^e'ared.^'llSXgrth e'l IZl feSs 

J £ ,, -iuj -J., L-an 1 ngnt with vour regiment' 
command was fina ly withdrawn with j^.t then Colonel Wister came up and 
the remainder of the brigade, 56 per j^ hi^ bluff manner asked: "WeH old 
cent, of those who held the line were o,an, what do you want?" "I want a 
dead and wounded. ehance to fight with your regiment." 
Roy Stone's Brigade Went "to Stay" and '7^'^^,^°IJ^'^}\' ^J^ere is your ammuni- 
T7-f* P r- » c, A ^^°°^ "Right here," said the old 
Fifty Per Cent. Stayed. hero, slapping his trousers pocket, 
About 11 o'clock the head of Roy which was bulging out with cart- 
Stone's brigade arrived on the field, ^ .f.®^-. ^^ood," replied Wister; "I 
and was placed bv General Doubleday '^}^]^ ^'^^^^ ^^^^ Q^oi'e like you," ad- 
on the left of the Chambersburg pike, vising the old man to go into the 
the left of the line resting near the woods and fight where he would be 
right of the Iron Brigade. Shells more sheltered. But John Burns was 
were flying as the Pennsylvanians ^^l, V^^ ^^^^ that looked for shelter, 
moved into position, and it was a hot ?°^ Jj^ fought during the day not only 
place to form. Stripping for the fray l^.,^'^^ °P^°' ^"^ in the very front, 
and unslinging knapsacks, the men ^^len evening fell he was still there, 
called out, "We have come to stay." "}^^ "^^^^^ wounded. At 1.30 o'clock 
When evening came fully 50 per cent. *^® whole line of the enemy was seen 
of the gallant brigade remained on the advancing, and for more than two 
fatal ridge. Stone's brigade held the ^^"''^ t^® devoted brigade of Roy 
key to the first day's fight, and every Stone— 143rd, 149th and 150th Penn- 
man seemed to realize the importance sylvania Regiments— met and checked 
of holding out to the last. Although ^'^^ exulting foe. 
some two hours elapsed from the time t> 1 • > ,ir^ r^, . , . 
the brigade arrived until the first Pennsylvania s "One Thin Line." 
serious attack of the Confederate in- Never in the history of wars did 
fantry, it was anything but an inter men stand up under like conditions 
val of peace. Exposed and in full and make such defense. There they were 
view of the enemy, the line was one thin line, without a man in re- 
pounded by the batteries from the dis serve, meeting charge after charge, 
tant hills, both north and west, and and seeing beyond, as far as the eye 
many were the casualities. Then the could reach, other lines of fresh 



4 PERCENTAGE OF LOSSES AT GETTYSBURG. 

troops, ready to take the places of killed and wounded and 61 missing, 
those repulsed. Every field officer in The i42d Pennsylvania, Colonel Rob- 
the brigade, save one, was shot, and ert P. Cummings, had 39 per cent, 
many of them several times. In the killed and wounded and 70 missing. 
143d 36 per cent, were killed and The 151st Pennsylvania, Lieutenant 
wounded and 91 missing, many of Colonel George F. McFarland, had 56 
these being numbered among the per cent, killed and wounded and 100 
dead; the 149th lost 50 per cent, kill- missing. Not only did the brigade 
ed and wounded and 111 missing; the make the splendid fight on the first 
150th lost 50 per cent, killed and day's battle, but on the second and 
wounded and 77 missing, 25 of whom third day all the regiments were en- 
were afterward found to be dead or gaged, and in the last grand scene of 
wounded. Glorious brigade of the the drama the 80th New York and the 
Keystone State! When will your glory 151st Pennsylvania, led by Colonel 
fade? Officers and men alike will live Gates, rushed in, side by side with 
in story. Can we ever forget Roy Stannard's Vermonters, to strike the 
Stone falling away out in front of his flank of Pickett's line. The 142nd 
line, or Langhorne Wister clinging to Pennsylvania lost some of its best of- 
his command with mouth so full of fioers and men. Col. Cummings, Capt. 
blood that speech was impossible; or Flagg and Lieuts. Tucker and Hurst 
Huidekoper remaining in command were killed instantly, Capts. Grimm, 
of his regiment with shattered arm Evans, Dushane and Hasson, and Lieu- 
and a ball through his leg; or Color tenants Powell, Walter, Swank, Heff- 
Sergeant Benjamin H. Crippen, of the ley, Huston, Hoffman and Wilson were 
143d, lingering as his regiment walk- wounded, 
ed to the rear, to shake his fist at the 
advancing foe, until he was shot dead; The School Teachers and the Pupils. 

?^ ^I'^.'nfT. ^Z^^^""^- ^^™>K^ ,l^'^^\ °^ Lieutenant Colonel George F. Mc- 
the 150th advancing with the c<,lors p^.i^^^, who commanded the 151st 
and flaunting them m the face of the penusvlvania on the first day's fight, 
victorious foe until he fell dead, with ^^^ ^^^ Principal of the McAllister 
all the color guard dead or wounded Academv. in Juniata county, of our 
around him? Surely it was a great g^^^^ jje was an exceedingly calm, 
brigade and a noble fight but more ^^.^^^ ^^^ ^.^^^^ awaiting the in- 
yet was demanded, for on the evening ^^^^ ^^^^^j, i^^j ^^^ ^^ ^^^ 
of he second day the 149th and the .^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^il^ ^^^ ^l^ells 
150th charged upon the Confederate ^^^.^ ^^^j^ ^^ ^^ directions. He was 
lines and recaptured two guns that ^^^.^^^^ wounded and lost a leg. The 
had been lost that afternoon. Like- regiment was unique in many par- 
wise on the third day of the battle ticulars: McFarland, a school princi- 
the three regiments were again under 1 ^^ command, with 100 school 

^l^'J^Tl''' ^°^ ^"^ "J^f *^^ ^'J'^rP teachers marching and fighting in the 

of Pickett s men and to meet the ^.^^^^ ^he whole of Company D was 

storm of the artillery Are that for two composed of scholars and school boys 

long hours preceded that attack. ^^.^^^ McFarland's Academy. The regi- 
ment fought the 26th North Carolina, 

How Col. Chapman Biddle's Brigade which command lost, in the morning's 

Struck Pickett's Line. encounter with the 151st, 588 men and 

officers out of 800, one company hav- 
To the left of the Iron Brigade, the ing 82 killed and wounded out of 83. 
brigade commanded by Colonel Chap- The 151st had 14 officers killed and 
man Biddle, held the line. The orga- wounded, and was the last regiment to 
nization consisted of one New York leave the line when retreat was or- 
and three Pennsylvania regiments, and dered. The Confederate General Heth, 
its record is very similar to that of the said that "the dead of the 151st mark- 
two brigades on the right. The 80th ed the line of battle with the accur- 
New York (20th Militia), called the acy of a 'dress parade.' " On that day 
"Ulster Guard," Colonel Theodore B. Pennsylvania's teachers and school- 
Gates commanding, had 50 per cent, boys left a rich legacy to others who 
killed and wounded, 24 missing. The come after them. Much history has 
121st Pennsylvania, Lieutenant Colo- been written, and any amount of criti 
nel Alexander Biddle, had 39 per cent, cism indulged in, in relation to the 



PERCENTAGE OF LOSSES AT GETTYSBURG. 5. 

fight of the First Corps on the first life. All the color guard were down, 
day of the battle, but the more we and three color sergeants fell dead, 
learn of it the more we must acknowl- one after the other. The 141st Penn- 
edge that it was a great contest, a sylvania Infantry was also in line 
wonderful defense against overwhelm- there to meet the rush of the Confed- 
ing odds. erate attack, another very small com- 

mand and at a most critical moment 
Splendid Record of the Germans. was called upon to meet an over- 

.„ ,, „ ... - ,, ^ ^ whelming force. Bravely the men 

All the severe figh mg of the first g^^od to the work, pouring in a steady 
day was not confined to the line of the ^ ^nd holding the enemy back until 
First Corps. The Eleventh Corps, ^^e batteries of their division could 
coming upon the fie d later in the day ^e rescued and the guns hauled off by 
also fought against great odds, and hand, all the horses being killed. The 
made a splendid fight. One regiment commander. Major Israel Spaulding, 
at least, kept up with the best record ^^g ,,iiipj -phe only Captain left at 
of any one of the First Corps. The ^^^ ^lose of the fight was Cai.tain 
75th Pennsylvania fought to the north j^^^^^ ^ Horton, a m.,st gallant 
of the town, near the Carlisle road, y^ung officer, who greatlv dirftin.^uish- 
^".^'''l.u^.^ per cent killed and wound- ^^ himself and brought the remnant 
ed. This regiment was originally re- ^j ^^e regiment from the field. Their 
cruited by General Henry Bohlen, who record— 63 per cent, killed and woiind- 
^o^^oLo^'^ T^^ Freeman s Ford, August ed— placed another Pennsylvania regi- 
22, 1862. It was commanded at Get- ^.g^t on the roll of the brave, 
tysburg by Colonel Francis Mahler, 
who was killed there. Colonel Mah- , 

ler was badly wounded early in action ^ "^ Eleventh New Jersey. 

but refused to leave, and continued in 

command until he was killed. The The 11th New Jersey, Colonel Rob- 
regiment was composed entirely of ert M. McAllister, a truly grand old 
Germans, who here fought better for hero, commanding, fought along the 
the land of their adoption than any Emmitsburg road to the right of the 
son of Germany ever fought in de- P^^^h Orchard. This regiment fought 
fense of his own native land. Wilcox on its right and BaiUsdale on 

its left. 51 per cent, killed and wound- 
The Second Day at Gettysburg. ed is the record of these Jerseymen. 

Colonel McAllister soon fell, shot 
July 2, 1863. — The second day at through, the leg and his foot smashed 
Gettysburg was quite as prolific in the by a shell. Major Philip J. Kearney 
piling up of great losses as the first then took command and fell dead, 
day — noble deeds and splendid fight- Captain Luther Martin then took com- 
ing on every part of the field. No mand and fell dead. Captain Dora- 
sooner had Longstreet swept down on mus B. Logan then took command and 
the Third Corps than regiment after fell dead. Captain Andrew H. Acker- 
regiment began rolling up the wonder- man took command, and was instantly 
ful record of more than 50 per cent, killed. Captain Lloyd took command 
killed and wounded. When the strong and fell terribly wounded. Lieaten- 
line of the Confederates struck the ants Provost, Fassett, liayton, Volk. 
Emmitsburg road and Peach Orchard, Good and Axtell were lying on the 
they found the 26th Pennsylvania in ground, wounded and bleeding, but 
line. This regiment held the extreme still the 11th New Jersey held on until 
right of the Third Corps, and was the order of retreat was received, 
commanded on that day by Captain when the Adjutant, John Schoonover, 
George W. Tomlinson. The command suffering with two wounds, led it 
had been in every battle from the be- from the field. On the same line with 
ginning, and was reduced to the num- the 11th New Jersey the 20th Indiana 
bers of a small battalion. Three hun- made a heroic fight. In the First Di- 
dred and eighty-two officers and men vision of the Third Corps — Birney's 
stood in line when the fighting began, division — the Indiana boys were com- 
and within an hour 224 of them had manded that day by Colonel J. K. 
been killed or wounded — 56 per cent. Wheeler, who fell dead at their head. 
Of 18 officers, 4 were killed and 7 54 per cent, killed and wounded tells 
wounded, 5 of them being crippled for the story of their valor. 



6 PERCENTAGE OF I^OSSES AT GETTYSBURG. 

No Monuments Mark the Deeds of which with a section of Brown's Rhode 
T-i,o=« R«o-„lorc* Island Battery, had been thrown for- 

inese xs^eguiars,. ^^^^ ^^ ^^^ Codori House. The 82nd 

As the battle rolled back from the New York was commanded by Lieu- 
Peach Orchard the fighting became itenant Colonel Huston, and Colonel 
terrific on the left, the wheat field George H. Ward commanded the de- 
naving been already covered with the tachment. The two little regiments 
dead and dying. At this juncture the made a most gallant stand, and held 
division of the Regulars went in to on the advanced position until Colo- 
emulate the best flighting of the volun- nel Ward had been killed. His regi- 
teers While they could not excel the ment, the 15th Massachusetts, left 
latter, they could at least equal them, dead on the flield Captains Murkland 
and t'hev did, the 17th United States, and Jorgeson, and Lieutenant Buss, 
commanded by Colonel Durell Green, Nearly every officer was wounded, and 
losin? 65 per cent, in killed and the record of the afternoon was 50 per 
wounded. As yet no monuments mark cent, killed and wounded. The 82nd 
the line of the regular troops, but let New York suffered quite as seriously, 
us hope that Congress may see to it, losing exactly 50 per cent, killed and 
and that at an early day those splen- wounded, Lieutenant Colonel James 
did regiments may not be forgotten Huston, Captain Jonah C. Hoyt and 
or unhonored. And then that magni- Lieutenants John Cranston and John 
firent regiment, the 5th New Hamp- H. McDonald being killed and nine of- 
shire, was in the Wheat Field, also, ficers wounded. The 82nd captured, 
It had gone to the left that afternoon during the afternoon of the Second, 
with Caldwell's Division of the Second the colors of the 48th Georgia, and on 
Corps. In the short, sharp encounter the Third day captured the colors of 
Colonel Cross was killed, and the regi- the 1st and the 7th Virginia Regi- 
ment lost. In killed and wounded, ex- ments. During a crisis that after- 
actly 50 per cent. This regiment dur- noon, Hancock led into action the bri- 
ing the war had 18 officers and 277 gade consisting of the 111th New 
men killed in battle. Colonel Edward York, Colonel Clinton McDougal; the 
E. Cross was a model officer, and was 125th New York, Colonel George L. 
in comn\and of the brigade when kill- Willard, and the 126th New York, 
ed. When passing, as his command Colonel Eliakim Shirrell. The force 
formed for the fight. General Han- charged through the bushy swale at 
cock said to him, "Cross, this is the Plum Run and struck the 13th, 17th 
last day you will fight as a Colonel; and 18th Mississippi Regiments. Wil- 
you will have your commission as lard, commanding the brigade, was 
Krisrade General in a few days." killed, Shirrell of the 126th, was kill- 
Ci'oss replied, as he rode awav, '"Too ed, and McDougal of the 111th, was 
late, too late; I will die to-day." He wounded. The latter regiment lost 71 
lived for a few hours after beine- shot per cent, in killed and wounded. The 
through the body, and although suffer- 126th lost not only their Colonel, but 
ing great pain, talked cheerfully to the also Captains Skinner, Herenden and 
end. Said he, "I did hope to see peace Wheeler and Lieutenants Hunton, 
restored to our distressed country. I Sherman and Holmes and nine other 
think the boys will miss me; say good- officers were wounded. The record at 
bye to them all." "Peace to his ashes; Gettysburg was 55 per cent, killed and 
heaven rest his soul," was the prayer wounded. This regiment captured 
that went up in every part of the Sec- three stands of colors in the battle, 
ond Corps, as, in the calm stillness of Including those killed in this fight, 
the midnight hour, he slept to wake the regiment had sixteen officers shot 
no more. dead in action during the war. Glory 

to the Empire State! 
The 111th New York Lost 71 Per Cent. 

m, P • K , f rr V . T^- The Grandest Act of All. 

The forcing back of Humphrey s Di- 
vision of the Third Corps exposed to And now let us recall the grandest 
an overwhelming attack the 15th Mas- of all. It was getting towards even- 
sachusetts and the 82nd New YorK, ing and the battle had raged along 

*Since this article was written a fine large monument has been erected by the Congress of the 
U. S. to Regulars and 42 smaller ones marking the positions occupied by each command. 



PERCENTAGE OF LOSSES AT GETTYSBURG. 7 

the Emmitsburg road and out by the center. No hesitation, no stopping to 
Peach Orchard. In vain had our brave fire, silently and at a "double quick," 
troops fought and died. The Third then at a "run," then at the utmost 
Corps had been rolled back, crushed speed, they went, for the only hope of 
and almost annihilated; the Wheat being able to reach the enemy through 
Field had been svi^ept by line after the storm of fire that met them was by 
line of battle; Little Round Top had speed. "Charge," screamed Colville, 
been saved, and Hood's Texans were as the regiment neared the advancing 
being gradually driven down the lines of the enemy. Then in a rush 
crest; the gallant Sickles had been with leveled bayonets, the 1st Minne- 
carried to the rear from where he had sota, with momentum and desperation 
fallen crushed and bleeding. Still went crashing through the first line, 
the battle raged along the whole line; Then a volley and the center of the 
a crucial moment had arrived. A great enemy broke and was for a few min- 
gap existed on left of the Second Corps utes thrown into confusion. The very 
and the victorious and exulting foe ferosity of the onset seemed for the 
was moving forward to push through time to paralyze them. The object 
the threatened point, but were still was accomplished; time, short as it 
far off. Hancock, seeing a large force was, was gained, and before the long 
emerging from the timber, and think- lines of the Confederates could be 
ing it was some of our own forces, straightened out the reserve was on 
galloped to meet them only to discover the ground and the position was sav- 
a division of the enemy. He was met ed. 

by a volley in which was wounded the t^ j tt 

only aide he had with him. Captain No More Gallant Deed m History. 

W. D. W. Miller, a very noble officer. But what a sacrifice! Colville and 

u/-. 1 r- 1 -11 /-u T-u * I • „, every other officer, except two, were 

Col. Colville, Charge That Line ! weltering in their blood, killed or 

The danger to the Union line was wounded. Then the few survivors 
imminent; but one small regiment — fell back, leaving dead and wounded 
the First Minnesota — was anywhere 82 per cent, of the gallant men that 
near. Hancock quickly rode toward charged ten minutes before. The an- 
it, and called out, "What regiment is nals of war contain no such record of 
this?" "The 1st Minnesota," came the true heroism, valor and self-sacrifice, 
answer. Then pointing to the Con- Neither was it in vain for the execution 
federate columns about to seize the of the movement was complete and 
unoccupied heights of Cemetery Ridge successful and the object gained, and 
and should they succeed disaster to it was necessary. "There is no more 
the Union army would surely result, gallant deed in history," said Han- 
Reinforcements were hurrying to ad- cock; but he added: "I saw the neces- 
vance, and the General said: "Colonel sity of gaining five minutes, and I 
Colville, charge that line." At this would have ordered them in if I had 
moment the scene was one of appal- been sure that every man would have 
ling grandeur; Little Round Top been killed." The second day, how- 
wreathed in smoke, the crash of artil- ever, was not the last of the 
lery was re-echoing from all the battle for the First Minnesota. On 
woods, lines of battle were charging the afternoon of the third day the 
back and forth over the valley of remnant of that noble command was 
death and the whole crest of Cemetery again in the very front, and when 
Ridge was a blaze of fire. The men of Pickett's men reached Cemetery 
the 1st Minnesota instantly knew what Ridge the First was there to re 
Hancock's order meant — death or ceive them. Corporal Dehn, the last 
wounds for every man in the ranks, of the color guard, was shot and the 
sacrifice of the entire command in or- flagstaff cut in two. Corporal O'Brian 
der to gain a few minutes' time and ran up and raised the colors on the 
thus save the position and probably piece of staff that was left, dashing 
the battlefield. Every man saw and forward toward the enemy. He fell 
accepted the sacrifice. Responding to with two wounds, and Corporal W. N. 
Colville's rapid orders, the command, Irvin of Company D, grasped it. The 
in perfect line, with arms at a "right whole command rushed in, following 
shoulder shift,,'; went sweeping down the flag. It was "hand to hand" for a 
the slope directly upon the enemy's few minutes; no time to load and fire; 



8 



PERCENTAGE OF LOSSES AT GETTYSBURG. 



bayonets and clubbed muskets and 
great stones snatcned from the wall 
were used; but the struggle, close, 
desperate and deadly was soon over, 
and the Confederates threw down 
their arms and surrendered, Marshall 
Sherman, of Company C, capturing 
the colors of the 28th Virginia. Great 
Minnesota — "Etoile du Nord!" The 
sacrifice of your sons was your glory. 
Never forget them. Keep their mem- 
ory green. Tell the children of the 
glorious deeds, and teach them to re- 
joice in the heroism of their fathers. 

The Irishmen Stood Immovable. 

But Gettysburg was not to end with- 
out one more regiment making the 
great record of 50 per cent, killed and 
wounded. The 69th (Irish) Pennsyl- 
vania stood, when the battle raged 
fiercest, out in advance of the line 
where the great attack of Pickett's 
18,000 concentrated in largest num- 
bers, surrounded, overwhelmed and 
literally swallowed up in the surging 
masses of the Confederates. The Irish- 
men stood immovable, unconquerable, 
fearless and splendid in their valor, 
the green flag waving side by side 
with the colors of their adopted coun- 
try, both held aloft by the stone wall 
uritil the victory was assured and the 
hosts of the enemy crushed. But 
Col. Dennis O'Kane and Lieutenant 
Colonel Martin Tschudy lay dead. 
Major James Duff and almost every 
other officer was down wounded, while 
another regiment had taken its place 
in the list of those that had, in single 
engagements lost 50 per cent, killed 
and wounded. 

Why Do These Deeds Remain Unsung ? 

Truly, Gettysburg was a field re- 
splendent with great and heroic deeds. 
The "Congress Medal of Honor" was 
originated for the purpose of reward- 
ing brave actions out of the ordinary 



line of duty. An average of less than 
one to each Union regiment has been 
given by the Government. I think 
the entire number granted for all the 
war might have been distributed for 
this battle alone and not one of them 
misplaced. And yet, how few of our 
people know of the heroism of opr 
army in the Civil War. In justice to 
the men who composed tnose armies, 
in justice to their children, should not 
more recognition be given to the glow- 
ing history? What a page of our 
country's history it is, but how few 
have read it. Our school books are 
silent on the subject, and our children 
never hear it mentioned. What a 
story for the children of Minnesota 
would be "The First at Gettysburg," 
or for those of Michigan, the thrilling 
tale of the Twenty-fourth. How the 
coming generations in our own State 
would delight to read of Roy Stone's 
Brigade, or the 151st Pennsylvania, 
with its 100 school teachers and their 
young scholars, and the fight they 
made. But they never hear of these 
things. I question whether there are 
a dozen school children in Minnesota 
who ever heard of their fathers at 
Gettysburg. It is doubtful if there is 
a line in any text book of the public 
schools of any State keeping alive 
these memories. Our children come 
home and tell us wonderful tales 
of heroism in the history of old Greece 
and Rome, and of campaigns in Eu- 
rope. They speak of Thermopylae 
and Marathon, and they have "The 
Charge of the Light Brigade" at Bal- 
aklava on the end of their tongues, 
but of their own fathers, who made 
a record for heroism never equalled 
and one that will never be excelled, 
they are strangely ignorant. Let us 
hope that in the readers of the future 
our children may learn the story of 
"American heroism" at least as well 
as that of other ages and of other na- 
tions. 



♦ 



Continuously Engaged in the Photograph 
Business in Gettysburg Since July, 1863. 



1863 48TH ANNIVERSARY 1911 



i WILLIAM H. TIPTON 

THE BATTLEFIELD PHOTOGRAPHER 



i 



! Desires to extend his thanks to his patrons of the past forty- 
1 eight years, and inform them and the public in general that 
( he now occupies his new building, with Studio, Salesroom and 
♦ Factory complete, built upon the most approved modern j 
' plans, and with separate fire-proof building in which are 

stored the largest collection of battlefield negatives in the 

world, from which photographs can be furnished at any time. 

The Salesroom is stocked with Finished Photographs I 

of all sizes, Guide Books, Maps and all Gettysburg Literature j 
' of merit, as well as the largest line of Gettysburg Souvenir | 
I Goods, such as Souvenir Albums, Postal Cards, Art Pottery, » 

Pyro-Etched Wood and Leather, etc., etc., which you are 
; cordially invited to call and inspect, or your favors by mail 

will have prompt attention. 



WILLIAM H. TIPTON 

20 AND 22 CHAMBERSBURG ST. GETTYSBURG, PA. I 



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